Whataburger, and related items, lands on HDRC agenda

A Whataburger is being planned for the corner of Commerce and Presa streets. COURTESY PHOTO

Update: Adds Whataburger’s statement at 2:55 p.m.

The Historic and Design Review Commission meets at 3 p.m. Wednesday at the Development & Business Services Center (first floor), 1901 S. Alamo St. There are five downtown-related items. Here they are, with numbers corresponding to agenda item:

2. Whataburger

As was first reported on this blog in late September, Whataburger plans to open a restaurant downtown, and this week it goes before the HDRC. The agenda confirms the local fast food chain is looking at two spaces at the street level of the Riverbend Parking Garage, 412 E. Commerce St., currently occupied by Dante’s Pizza and Riverwalk Wine & Spirits, for a 3,455-square-foot restaurant.

At the very least, these are the plans. What remains unclear is if burger chain has actually signed a lease with Hixon Properties Incorporated, the offices of which are located across the street in the Commerce Building. The agenda item did not give a time table for Whataburger’s move.

“We are excited about the possibility of opening our first restaurant in San Antonio’s distinctive downtown. We know that downtown development has been one of Mayor Castro’s top priorities, and as a San Antonio-based company we are excited to play a part in that effort,” said James Turcotte, vice president of properties and facilities, Whataburger Restaurants, LP.

The agenda item specifically requests permission to renovate the west and north storefronts, and for a two-sided blade sign totaling 100 square feet.

From the HDRC:

“Staff finds the proposed retail renovation appropriate to the structure and site. The renovation will enhance the pedestrian experience.”

Whataburger’s official statement included in agenda:

“Whataburger is pursuing the first floor of the Downtown Riverbend Parking Garage currently occupied by Dantes Pizza and Western Beverage liquor store for a new 3455 sq ft Whataburger restaurant. The project will involve demolition of both existing tenant spaces and the construction of the new restaurant which will include all new mechanical, electrical and plumbing. The perimeter walls will be primarily storefront with portions of the existing rock-faced CMU to remain. The proposed signage will be a new blade sign located at the corner of Commerce and Presa Street. The River Improvement Overlay (RIO) district allows 1 sign, 50 square feet per frontage. Whataburger’s signage is a total of 50 square feet per each frontage and does not exceed the Rio requirement.”

With Whataburger in, Riverwalk Wine & Spirits will relocate across the street to 405 E. Commerce St. This item requests approval of a sign totaling 48 square feet. The move is scheduled for completion in November.

11. Wolff & Marx / Joske’s Building

Item calls for establishing a “master signage plan” for properties owned by Alamo Quarters Ltd. on Alamo Plaza. One aspect of the plan would identify the building at 111 Alamo Plaza as the “Alamo Quarters Building.”

1. La Gloria

This one’s kind of sketchy, but the wording calls for a 372-square-foot addition to the Steel House Loft project in Southtown to “accommodate the La Gloria restaurant. Signage for the establishment will be presented at a later date.” Looks like La Gloria owner and chef Johnny Hernandez is looking to expand beyond his Pearl digs.

4. The Mosaic

The actual plans for the 120-unit apartment building at 1915 Broadway have been approved. But the owners are requesting signs along the fence to identify the Mosaic’s design team and lender (Broadway Bank).